2025 Gold Proof Half Sovereign Coin

Royal Mint Official Partner

Chards is an official partner of The Royal Mint. Our gold sovereign coins, among other Royal Mint products, are sourced directly from their mint headquarters in Llantrisant, Wales.

The 2025 Proof Sovereign Collection

The 2025 proof sovereign range features a remastered version of Merlen's Royal Arms Shield design. The coins are the final sovereigns to be struck in 'red gold'. The 2025 range also marks the introduction of the first ever silver proof sovereign.

Legacy of Jean Baptiste Merlen

Jean Baptiste Merlen was a renowned French engraver, initially employed by the Paris Mint before eventually joining The Royal Mint in 1820. He is celebrated for his contributions to numismatics and coin design.

William Wyon became Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint in 1828, during Jean Baptiste Merlen's time as assistant engraver. Merlen is best known for his obverse portrait of George IV, introduced in 1821, which was the first to depict a male monarch without a crown or laureate. He is also remembered for his Royal Arms Shield design, which first appeared on the George IV sovereigns.

History of Shield Sovereigns

Shield sovereigns are a cherished design in British coinage history, renowned for the intricate shield on their reverse. The shield sovereign first appeared on the reverse of gold sovereigns in 1825 during the reign of King George IV. Subsequently, the shield was used under the reign of King William IV and later popularised on Queen Victoria’s young head gold sovereign coins minted between 1838 and 1887.

For those interested in purchasing shield sovereigns, we recommend reading our shield sovereign guide to gain a solid understanding before investing. We stock a wide range of shield gold sovereign coins, ideal for collectors looking to add the historic Royal Arms shield design by Jean Baptiste Merlen to their collection.

To learn more about the specifications of these highly anticipated coins, explore our 2025 proof sovereign guide, which covers some of The Royal Mint’s most significant innovations to date.

History of the Gold Sovereigns

The English sovereign was first issued as a gold hammered coin in 1489 for the King Henry VII. Designed by German engraver, Alexander of Bruchsal, the obverse featured the King in his coronation robes seated upon his throne, symbolising the power, success and splendour of the fledgling Tudor dynasty. 

Although the first British gold sovereign was issued in 1489 for Henry VII, the modern gold sovereign was first struck in 1817 under George III. Issued with a nominal value of one pound, it was a circulation coin in Britain until the middle of World War I and abroad until 1932. The sovereign was reintroduced in 1957 as an investment coin to meet demand for gold bullion.

Today, the vast majority of British gold sovereigns showcase Benedetto Pistrucci's St George and the dragon design on the reverse, paired with various monarchs over time.

What Is a Proof Coin?

A proof coin is a type of coin that is produced using a specific minting process that results in a highly polished surface and intricate design details. Proof coins are typically produced in limited quantities and may feature unique packaging, certificates of authenticity, or other distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from standard coins.

Due to their limited production and exceptional finish, proof coins generally command higher prices than regular coins of the same denomination and are highly prized by both collectors and investors.

What Is Capital Gains Tax?

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a form of levies imposed on the profit garnered from the sale of assets, such as real estate, investments, and collectibles. In the United Kingdom, the present CGT allowance is £3,000 per annum per individual, which implies that one can earn up to £3,000 from the sale of assets prior to being subject to CGT.

For UK residents, coins which are UK legal tender pound sterling coins are exempt from capital gains tax (CGT).

Obverse

The obverse features the official UK coinage uncrowned portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, facing left, and bears the following inscription:

· CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF · 2025 ·

Reverse

The reverse features a remastered version of the Royal Arms Shield design. It was originally engraved 200 years ago by one of The Royal Mint's great engravers, Jean Baptiste Merlen. The crowned quartered shield features the three passant lions of England, the rampant lion of Scotland, and a harp representing Ireland. The Hanoverian Arms are featured in the centre. 

A Latin inscription surrounds the coin, which translates to 'The Arms of George IV, King of the Britains' in English.

ARMA GEORGII IV BRITANNIARUM REGIS

Specification